Rally – Surprise Ending at Sno*Drift

Here’s the press release from the RallyCar Series summarizing the final results of the first round of the Rally America National Championship, the Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta, Michigan. It was quite an epic story for Super Production driver Travis Hanson as he became the first SP competitor to claim an overall victory. Shaun will have more commentary and insight into this phenomenal achievement later today in his Sunday Service Park column. Travis Who? Hanson Wins Sno*Drift 2011, Makes American Rallying History Atlanta, MI (January 30, 2011) — Travis and Terry…

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Rally – Tire War in 2012?

It would appear as though a year away from the WRC is all Pirelli needed. The Italian manufacturer has indicated that they would like to rejoin rally’s top flight as soon as 2012 after a one year break. The intent of the return is to attack Michelin and have a battle amongst top teams in 2012. “I want us to be back in the WRC in 2012, once those regulations are out, we will study them carefully and begin – if the conditions are right – to prepare ourselves. We…

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Rally – Ford switches Fiesta RS WRC test plans for Arctic Rally

FROM: FORD Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team has dropped plans to debut its all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car in Finland’s Arctic Lapland Rally (28 – 29 January) next weekend. Team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen and team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were scheduled to drive a leg each in the two-day snow and ice rally based in Rovaniemi. It was due to be the final part of the squad’s pre-season test programme before next month’s opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Sweden. However,…

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Rally – Sunday Service Park 1/23/11

After a brief break, we are back for another Sunday Service Park with just a few things happening…including the Monte Carlo Rally. Not a big deal is it? Team that with a few driver signings and we now present this weeks service park. Monte Carlo The IRC kicked off its season with the centenary edition of the Monte Carlo Rally. The Indy 500 of rally has really become an invitational event since leaving the WRC a couple years ago. Every year we see a couple WRC drivers step outside of…

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Rally – Ford Fiesta RS Breaks Cover in 2011 Color Scheme

FROM: FORD BIRMINGHAM, 13 January 2011 – Ford’s all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car was revealed in its 2011-specification today when the company unveiled the color scheme that will adorn the car in the FIA World Rally Championship. Team driver Mikko Hirvonen and Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn unveiled the livery for the eye-catching Fiesta RS WRC at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, motorsport’s traditional start-of-season showcase event. Ford’s official WRC squad for 2011 also confirmed its new name and logo – it will compete…

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Rally – Stobart Changes

A number of changes have already occurred in preparations for what experts are calling an amazing 2011 WRC season. More changes have been released today involving the Stobart team this time. The satellite Ford team has made slight changes and added a driver for Sweden to up its chances for a great points haul in the opening round. First, the team that was known as the Stobart M-Sport Ford World Rally Team has changed its name to the M-Sport Stobart Ford Rally Team. Not a huge difference in a name…

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Rally – Citroen Situation Update

The last 24 hours have been full of confusion and questions in regards to exactly what it is Citroen will be doing in the WRC. Heading into yesterday, we already knew that Loeb and Ogier would house the two factory rides. The former Citroen Junior squad was half full. Peter Van Merksteijn had been confirmed for 10 rounds of the championship which was due to start in Sweden for him. Enter Kimi Raikkonen and Petter Solberg. Both were rumored to land a Citroen ride as well but only four cars…

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Rally – FERM World Rally Team

The World Rally Championship got some news this morning as FERM Power Tools World Rally Team has entered the Manufacturer’s Championship for 2011. Dennis Kuipers will be the man behind the wheel of the M-Sport Fiesta for 11 out 13 rounds (Australia and Argentina missing). Kuipers was originally slated to run only 10 rounds of the championship in a Fiesta, however the recent deal with FERM has opened up an 11th round. Kuipers best result last season was an 11th overall at Rally Spain. He was driving under the Stobart…

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Rally – OFFICIAL: Sordo to MINI

Well the news has finally been made official. Dani Sordo will now compete along Kris Meeke in the new Prodrive MINI WRC. The team is not 100% sure when they will make their debut, but the fit of Sordo at the team is the best Sordo could hope for. News had broken previously that a deal was done, but no official announcement was made due to Sordo’s Citroen contract. Now that the contract has expired, the announcement could be made. For Sordo, this is the best he could have hoped…

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Dakar – El Matador Showing Perfection

Carlos Sainz has been perfect after two stages of the Dakar in his VW. The Spaniard has began his title defense by winning the two opening stages of the rally and has done so in convincing fashion. The rally is now underway and Sainz VW is now in a battle with X-Raid BMW’s Stephane Peterhansel. A one sided battle really as Sainz has taken comfortable margins in both stages. VW teammate Nasser al-Attiyah is third overall after finishing P2 in today’s stage. American Robby Gordon was not so fortunate today.…

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